“Unfortunately some people are questioning Apple’s values today, and I’d like to address this with you directly,” he says.

“Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us. As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It’s not who we are. For the many hundreds of you who are based at our suppliers’ manufacturing sites around the world, or spend long stretches working there away from your families, I know you are as outraged by this as I am.”

Cook goes on to explain the various steps Apple has taken to address the matter, which was subject to a blistering expose by the New York Times.

“We will continue to dig deeper, and we will undoubtedly find more issues,” he concludes. “What we will not do — and never have done — is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain. On this you have my word.”

That’s good to hear. Based on the New York Times stories he has a lot of work to do.